Franchised dealers are at greater risk now of losing more service work to the independent sector now EU legislation has removed limitations to its taking more market share, it has been claimed.

Limitations on access to vehicle information have been removed.

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) says there will now be “a level playing field in the battle for access to information” that will “leave franchised dealers vulnerable to losing more service business to the independent garages”.

The IGA has been working in Brussels to see this legislation come to fruition, and through the Retail Motor Industry Federation’s UKAS accredited business, RMISC, will offer garages certification against the ISO standard that will give them access to the relevant information from any manufacturer to be able to fix any car.

IGA director Stuart James said: “The IGA has worked tirelessly to see this legislation through, and RMISC is positioned to be the first certification body for this type of information in Europe. 

“This is the largest change to the current structure of the UK motor industry and professionally run, independent garages will flourish.

“It has been advantageous for independents that the franchised sector has not picked up the gauntlet of genuinely meeting consumer needs in terms of price and quality.

“This new change will allow independents to seize the opportunity, take the initiative and increase their share of service and repair work even further.”

EU legislation coming into force will support the existing right of consumers to take their car, no matter how old, to any garage they choose.

“Garages who demonstrate their integrity will be certified to have access to all the functions required to service, repair and update modern cars,” said James.

EU documents: Regulation 566/2011 (New clauses and amending 715/2007 and 692/2008)